Revive Therapeutics Provides Update Evaluating Bucillamine for Nerve Agent Exposure With Defence Research & Development Canada
Revive Therapeutics Ltd. recently announced an update on its project evaluating Bucillamine as a potential treatment for nerve agent exposure with Defence R&D Canada – Suffield Research Centre (DRDC), an agency of the Canadian Department of National Defence. The company and the DRDC have finalized the research protocol and expect the project to be completed by the end of Q2-2024.
DRDC is investigating pharmacological compounds that can mitigate nerve agent induced brain injury. Recent studies have shown that antioxidant compounds such as n-acetylcysteine (NAC) could be beneficial in limiting seizure activity and improving the anticonvulsant efficacy of GABA-mediating drugs such as diazepam. Bucillamine is a significantly more effective antioxidant than NAC and has the potential to provide increased efficacy against seizure activity while limiting the anticoagulant and bleeding event liability observed with NAC. The overall objective of the research project is to investigate pharmacological means for neuroprotection of GABA(A) receptors, which are required for the effectiveness of currently fielded anticonvulsant therapies. Bucillamine and NAC will be evaluated to determine the effect on GABA(A) receptor endocytosis and the effect on diazepam effectiveness in terminating seizures. Any additional antioxidant effects on seizure activity and survival will also be assessed.
The results from this research, if promising, will determine further studies to facilitate Health Canada approval for the use of Bucillamine in nerve agents or organophosphate pesticide poisoning and potentially begin initial studies for efficacy against mild traumatic brain injury caused by concussive or explosive forces. In addition, the Company and the DRDC may determine developing novel formulations of Bucillamine and potentially support the development of the Company’s next-generation lyophilized formulation of Bucillamine (New Bucillamine) that was successfully completed at the University of Waterloo (press release).
The New Bucillamine has the potential to unlock the therapeutic utility of Bucillamine for treating public health medical emergencies, including pandemic influenza, emerging infectious diseases, and medical countermeasure incidents and attacks. Also, the Company may explore the New Bucillamine as a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, for rare inflammatory disorders such as ischemia-reperfusion injury (ie, organ transplantation), which the FDA granted orphan drug designation for in 2022.
Revive Therapeutics is a life sciences company focused on the research and development of therapeutics for infectious diseases and rare disorders, and it is prioritizing drug development efforts to take advantage of several regulatory incentives awarded by the FDA such as Emergency Use Authorization, Orphan Drug, Fast Track, and Breakthrough Therapy designations. Currently, the company is exploring the use of Bucillamine for the potential treatment of public health medical emergencies and rare inflammatory disorders. Revive is also advancing the development of Psilocybin-based therapeutics through various programs. For more information, visit www.ReviveThera.com.
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